#bradleyhawks

Just got a little giddy over this Japanese treat at Hibino LIC.  It's a strawberry dorayaki--a stack of two wonderfully spongy pancakes stuffed with a smear of sweet red bean paste, halved strawberries, and a generous scoop of green tea ice cream.  10-70 Jackson Avenue, LIC

Had my first introduction to the Tortas Pumas by Tortas Neza at Viva La Comida 2013... such an incredible festival!  If you missed it, make sure you catch it next year.  

For one of the most powerful views of the skyline, witness it reaching above the horizon of grave markers at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside--one of the oldest cemeteries in the United States.  With over 3 million interments (more than any other cemetery in the U.S.) and managed by St. Patrick's Cathedral, it is the posthumous home to numerous Civil War soldiers, mobsters, politicians, and artists.  The oldest gravestone is dated 1718. An original adult burial plot cost $7.

Venturo Osteria & Wine Bar in Sunnyside is now open, and the food is phenomenal...  From the same team that brought us Vesta Trattoria and Pachanga Patterson come some incredible new dishes.  Pictured: Roasted Beet & Mascarpone Pansotti, Stracchino Pizza (with roasted chantarelles, spinach pesto, & fried egg), The Torino cocktail (served with a sidecar bottle of San Bitter Rosso), Espresso Granita (shaved ice with homemade mascarpone and cacao nibs), and Toasted Almond Semifreddo (with fudge brownie, chocolate almond butter, & chocolate meringues). Tonight & tomorrow they are still in 'soft opening' from 6-9PM, but beginning Thursday they serve dinner from 5-10PM seven days a week.  44-07 Queens Blvd, Sunnyside, NY 11104.

Obsessed with the pork and crab soup dumplings at Nan Xiang Xao Long Bao in Flushing (38-12 Prince Street)

This weekend's view of LIC from the FDR.

This delicious bowl of Japanese curry at HinoMaru has a gentle spice and subtle sweetness, much more like a zesty gravy with pork belly and potatoes over rice. HinoMaru * 33-18 Ditmars Blvd. * http://hinomaruramen.com

This lobster roll was insanely delicious, so fresh, so perfect.  You can see one of the enormous claws, and there was a second one, plus the whole tail, and knuckle meat, too.  Plenty of butter and a hint of lemon-mayo with herbs.  The best lobster roll I have had to date.  The hand-sliced homemade chips were a great touch.  Off the Hook * 28-08 34th St, Astoria * (718) 721-2112